SUBMISSIONS

Please take a look at our current list before submitting, as we receive far too many manuscripts that do not align with the kinds of books we publish. This saves everyone time and ensures we give full attention to the submissions that truly fit our vision.

WHAT WE PUBLISH

We welcome submissions in fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on:

• Immigrant Voices – Stories of migration, belonging, identity, and reinvention.

• Women’s Fiction – Narratives that explore the depth and diversity of women’s lives and struggles.

• African Fiction and Nonfiction – Authentic African and diasporic literary aesthetics, covering African literary fiction, Memoir, Political fiction, Afro-futurism, Literary noir, African pop cultural studies, Music/history nonfiction, Visually beautiful African books.

• Adventure Fiction – Page-turning tales of discovery, risk, and human spirit.

• Crime & Thrillers – Mysteries, high stakes narratives that explore power, politics, corruption and intrigue without excessive violence.

• Self-Help & Personal Growth – Practical, inspiring guides that empower readers to live better.

• Art, Design, Music & Cltural Studies – Books exploring African and diasporic visual arts, design, music, architecture, popular and visual culture, cultural history, and creative practice.

• Essays & Cultural Criticism – Works that engage with contemporary issues, ideas, culture, race, identity, media, literature, and the changing social landscape of Africa and its diaspora.

• Experimental, Poetic Prose & Hybrid works – Innovative writing that crosses genres, challenges form, and expands the possibilities of storytelling while remaining accessible to readers.

We seek culturally vibrant, politically engaged, and intergenerational storytelling. Whether literary, commercial, or experimental, we are committed to works with substance, soul, and story.

We welcome submissions from authors worldwide, provided the work is written in English. Our doors are open to agents, seasoned authors with extensive backlists, self-published writers, debut novelists, and everyone in between.

Please note that we generally do not consider non-fiction, Young Adult fiction, children’s books, or erotica, except in rare and exceptional cases. If your manuscript falls within these categories, we may not be the right publishing home for you.

Submissions Address:

Oba Kunta Octopus accepts unsolicited queries—by email only. If you’d like to be considered, please send us your synopsis and the first three chapters of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email (attachments will not be opened).

Include the following details:

Send your submission to: submissions@obakunta.com with the subject line: Submission – [Your Book Title].

Should we be interested in reading your manuscript, we will reach out to you directly. Please understand that we are unable to respond to inquiries about the status of submissions.

BEYOND PUBLISHING

We welcome inquiries from authors, publishers, and creatives seeking professional book design, editing, and publishing support. Our team specializes in cover design, interior formatting, proofreading, and self-publishing consulting for print and digital platforms including Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Blurb. Whether you’re preparing a novel, memoir, poetry collection, or nonfiction title, Oba Kunta Octopus helps bring your manuscript to market with polished, industry-ready design and publishing solutions. Submit your project today and let’s create a book that stands out.

• Your full name and contact information

• Book title and genre

• A brief author bio (100–150 words)